India’s all-rounder Axar Patel keeps growing in confidence with the bat. With Shreyas Iyer not batting due to back pain, Patel got a chance to bat at number seven on Day four in the fourth Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Patel went on to score his third fifty of the series, scoring 79 runs off 113 balls and adding 162 runs with Virat Kohli, who scored his 28th Test century.
The southpaw batter has grown in confidence with the bat in the ongoing series as he has scored 264 runs in five innings at an average of 88. Patel was a bit unfortunate in the Indore Test as he remained unbeaten in both innings but looked confident in his strokeplay.
While Patel has failed to make a big impact with the ball in the series (only two wickets in the series), his batting has been exemplary against Australia. The left-hander’s knock also helped India post a mammoth score of 571 runs on the board and take a lead of 91 runs.
Patel also smashed four sixes in his fine knock, with three of them coming in the cow-corner region.
Axar Patel said at the end of the day’s play while talking to Star Sports, “I am feeling good to have contributed with the bat. I’ve had the confidence to go after ones that I can hit, the talk in the 1st Test is what I’m following and I’m gaining a bit of information about my ability with the bat. I had no set role (when asked if he was told to score quickly), just wanted to make as many runs as possible, bat along with the ball not doing a lot. One you’re set, it’s easier to bat, the odd ball is turning and staying low, it’s slightly difficult when you’re new to the crease, but once you adjust, it’s still easy to bat on this wicket.”
Patel has delivered while batting in the lower order and would want to continue the good show. India has put itself in a commanding position, from where they can’t lose the fourth Test match.
On day 5, chances of a drawn match are more unless Australia crumbles under pressure on a pitch, which is still good for batting.
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